The Erratum

15 minutes after Skadi returned to the Aegir, the crew decided that they would set sail onto the Mirage Island.

Along the way, Skadi briefed her crew about what to do.

"Okay people! Upon arrival on the island, under no circumstances should you talk to its residents. Let me talk to them first. Additionally, I should be the first one out of the ship, stay here unless told so. Got it?"

"Aye!" The crew collectively yelled.

"Good. Now, we will arrive in a few minutes, ready yourselves. Eat some bread while you can, bring your essentials and everything you need. Ready your Zeal Weapons."

She faced the crew, her expression serious.

"Jones, I need you to bring your concoctions, bring ones that can heal, alleviate Dread, and increase overall well-being."

"Understood, Captain."

Jones bowed and immediately walked towards his clinic.

"Elishia, if possible, bring a basket of goods, we might need them as offerings to the people."

"Okay!"

She headed below deck, gathering everything that she deemed appropriate.

"Reid, when I’m gone, you guard the others from the shadows. Stay hidden, go for surprise attacks if there are any assailants."

Reid simply nodded upon hearing Skadi’s words.

"Galkan, hand me over some of your Memories, I might need it if things become dire."

The bulky man reached for his pockets and grabbed a fistful of silver coins.

"I already have them here.."

He tossed them to Skadi, who used the winds to capture it and make it go towards her pocket.

"Lastly, Cetas.. I want you to help Reid in guarding this ship. Stay hidden. If people see that you are an unfamiliar race, then they may panic."

Cetas nodded and softly said, "Okay.."

"Good."

Skadi turned around and used the winds to slow down the sails as they approached the Mirage Island.

"Now that everyone knows their roles, please stay committed. We don’t know the dangers that this island possesses. Everyone. Stay sharp!"

"Aye!"

Hearing their unified voice, Skadi faced the direction of the island.

Cetas caught a glimpse of the people inside it. He noticed the people crowding up near the shore, directly gazing at the Aegir.

Some of them waved, and some just merely stood and stared.

Cetas could only imagine the foreign feeling that they had when they saw the massive ship heading towards their island.

Just as he was about to find a spot, Reid came over and talked to him.

"Cetas, about staying hidden.. I’m planning to hide inside of the Captain’s quarters. Seeing as it is the closest to the main deck, if danger ever arises, I can simply jump forth and slay through."

"That’s a good idea.. But, how would you know if there’s any danger outside?"

Reid then touched the bottom of his eyebags with two fingers.

"I can use my Zeal.."

His eyes turned cloudy, the iris transforming into a gray hue.

"I see. Where should I hide then?"

Reid looked around for a second. Then, he looked up.

"How about up there?"

He pointed at the crow’s nest.

Cetas followed his gaze and tilted his head upward, "I think I can do that.."

"Great. Let’s hurry, we’re nearing the island.."

Cetas saw as Reid retreated to the Captain’s chambers below, close to the helm.

Once one descended on one of the entrances below deck, the closest room would be the Captain’s Quarters.

Cetas followed the plan and ascended up to the crow’s nest. Upon arriving above, he hid behind the ledge, which was surprisingly able to fit him.

He sat down, hoping that no one could see him.

But, he was curious, Cetas wanted to peek and see the island in its full glory.

Alas, he couldn’t, he needed to stay in place.

Soon, Cetas felt the ship stop and the winds halting its advance.

And so he waited..

And waited..

And waited until the signal was there.

But, it only took 5 minutes before he was called back down.

The winds were carried to his ears, the sound of Skadi’s voice resounded.

"Everyone, get back at the main deck."

He popped his head out of the ledge and looked around for a bit, curious about the current situation.

Cetas saw numerous people, no more than 20, looking at the ship with blissful smiles on their faces. They looked ecstatic as if the ship had been one of the treasures that were given to them.

Cetas went down from the nest and made his way back to the main deck. Finding the crewmembers gathered, he joined them as they discussed.

"So? Is it safe out there?" Elishia asked.

Skadi nodded her head.

"I believe so, yes. However, I am not quite sure yet because of these people.."

Skadi squinted her eyes.

"They didn’t see them at all.. I tried talking to them and gathering their attention, however, they were more focused on the ship. It could be that they were merely ignoring me and only noticed the Aegir, however, I believe that to be not the case."

She shook her head.

"Something about them is odd. They didn’t seem like mirages either.."

"Could their minds be lost?" Jones inquired.

"Possibly. But we don’t know.. For now, we can head down there and investigate. But still, remain wary, we don’t know what dangers this island may possess."

With an agreement, the crew readied themselves to journey into Mirage Island.

"Galkan, come with Elishia. Reid, go with Jones. Meanwhile, Cetas will come with me.. Don’t let yourselves be alone on the island."

Without further ado, the crew grouped themselves up.

Galkan anchored the ship a considerable distance away from the shore.

After doing so, Skadi flew each one of the members to the island. Going last, she and Cetas made their way across the blue waters and stepped down on the sands of mirage island.

It felt unusual for Cetas, setting foot on another island and going on his first journey.

However, it made him satisfied.

When he looked up to revel himself on the new discovery, Cetas found himself mounted on multiple gazes.

His Zeal shuddered.

Around him, the 20 or so people on the island stared directly at Cetas. Their faces were blank, eyes widened and lips flat.

Collectively, they faced towards him, and when Cetas took a step forward, they gazes adjusted with it.

The crew was startled by this!

Cetas looked up at Skadi, who already had her hand ready to pull Windslinger.

What’s going on?

Just then, a whisper came from one of the people on the island.

"..you."

And then another.

"..you.."

Once more.

"You."

And in the next moment, all of them screamed out to Cetas.

"YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU! YOU!"

The sound was deafening.

Voices harmonized, men and women, at the unified scream directed to Cetas.

Then, their words changed.

"GIVE. ME. LIFE!"

"..LIFE!"

"GRANT. ME. LIFE."

They screamed out, no longer unified.

Some of them started to tear up, while some begged and crossed their hands to pray in different notions.

Forming a circle around the crew, the people in Mirage Island kneeled and prayed.

"GIVE. US. LIFE."

"PLEASE."

"LIFE. FOR. US."

"FOR. ME."

"LIFEGIVER."

Cetas watched as the people turned unbelievable.

Life? My Zeal?

He looked lost.

"But how-"

"Don’t entertain them." Skadi stopped Cetas.

The voices continued.

"PEACE."

"LONG. HAVE. WE. LIVED."

"BUT. WE. NO. LIFE."

"GHOSTS."

"GRANT. US. RIGHT."

"PLEASE."

Their voices were hoarse, as if their vocal cords were broken long ago.

"Skadi, what do we do?" Galkan asked.

"Ignore them..

As they constantly begged for Cetas to give them life, Cetas could only feel helpless as he took pity upon the people.

"We can’t learn more in their state.. I believe it is already too late for them to develop some sort of intellect." Skadi shook her head.

"Quite unfortunate." Jones added.

Skadi no longer focused on the people of Mirage Island, ignoring their screams for help. Instead, she looked at the jungle in the island’s core.

"Let us venture further, perhaps there are still some things that we can gather here.."

The crew headed towards the lush jungle, ignoring the people’s pleas. However, Cetas looked back as they walked, looking at them with disappointment.

Perhaps if I can utilize Life then I can grant them peace..

No.

He shook his head as he inwardly thought.

I can’t handle what the Conceptual Zeal will do to my body.. I’m still a spark.

Just then, a voice resounded amidst the screams.

"GIVE. US. WATER."

Cetas’ eyes widened.

Water?

His interest was piqued.

Maybe I can help..

He was going to summon a droplet with the vapor in the air, however, Skadi stopped him.

"Cetas. We don’t know what might happen."

His expression darkened, "But they’re in need."

"I know.. That’s why we’ll head deeper in the jungle and search for methods to save them." Skadi reassured, "I vow by Helios’ name."

Reluctantly, Cetas agreed with her, "Alright.. I believe you."

So, Cetas looked forward into the depths of the island.

The crew headed deeper in the jungle, no longer looking back at the shore.